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48 Hours in Brisbane

Located on the winding Brisbane River, the city of Brisbane boasts world class food and wine as well as numerous cultural attractions. Jason Godfrey recently visited this sophisticated capital city for his show Savour Australia.

“During filming, I ate my way through Brisbane, the bustling, modern and sun drenched capital of Queensland. My first stop was the Eat Street Markets, inspired by Asian markets, where restaurants are set up in specially designed shipping containers every weekend with a wide variety of food including some ingenious culinary creations. I also checked out Esquire by award winning Chef Ryan Squires with its million dollar views of the Brisbane River and innovative cuisine. And I must mention eating the Moreton Bay bug at Gambaro – eaten with my hands just like the locals.” Jason Godfrey, Savour Australia.

Spend 48 hours in this modern and vibrant city. Discover award winning gourmet restaurants serving up delicious and innovative food. Visit cultural attractions that will have you exploring the city’s art precincts and explore Brisbane’s dynamic and fashionable shopping scene that will have you uncovering Australian fashion designers.

Day one - morning

Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Queensland

Breakfast at Strauss

For your morning coffee fix and a delicious breakfast head to Strauss on Elizabeth Street. This laneway café has a small menu but is big on fresh seasonal produce and features simple favourites such bircher muesli with apple, coconut and raspberries and poached eggs on sourdough.

Walk the contemporary art and architecture trail

Brisbane Greeters is a free public service where you can book a local to show you around the city. Select a tour that covers topics including sport, Aboriginal heritage, major heritage buildings and art. For the opportunity to see some of the sights Jason visited in Brisbane, book the contemporary art and architecture trail which includes walking from Kurilpa Bridge and taking in the north quarter of the city, including the iconic Reddacliff Place and Queens Street Mall.

Lunch at Eagle Street Pier

Head to Eagle Street Pier for lunch with a stunning view of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. The Pier is home to some of Brisbane’s best dining venues including Aria Restaurant, Black Bird Bar and Grill, Cha Cha Char, Pony and Saké.

Day one - afternoon

Ben Devlin, Chef, Esquire, Brisbane, Queensland

Shopping at Queen Street Mall

At the beating heart of Brisbane, lies Queen Street Mall, where Australian and international labels sit shoulder to shoulder in this all-in-one shopping experience. The Mall is constantly evolving and while Queen Street’s Broadway on the Mall is currently closed for redevelopment into a new retail centre, there are more than 700 retailers on offer, many tucked away inside heritage-listed arcades.

Dinner at Esquire

Dine tonight at one of Brisbane’s most awarded and forward thinking restaurants, Esquire. The Scandinavian-styled dining space boasts views of the Brisbane River and features an innovative menu created by chefs Ryan Squires and Ben Devlin. This is a restaurant that continues to surpass expectations with dishes such as Hawkesbury River fowl bone & Tokay and apple black truffle strudel.

Day two - morning

Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Queensland

Breakfast at Denim Co.

Located in dining mecca of Little Stanley Street near South Bank in Brisbane, Denim Co. is a great place to stop for breakfast. Popular for its açai bowls, avocado on toast and delicious coffee, Denim Co. also happens to be a clothing store, which gives you the perfect excuse to peruse the clothes while waiting for your breakfast to arrive.

Morning at South Bank

Just a short walk from Denim Co. is South Bank’s Epicurious Garden located in the South Bank Parklands. Free and open all year round, the Epicurious Garden is full of edible plants including fruit, vegetables and herbs. After spending the morning exploring and learning more about inner-city gardening, take a short walk to The Wheel of Brisbane. Jump on board this giant observation wheel for 360 degree panoramic views of South Bank and beyond.

Lunch at QAGOMA

Head to Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) for lunch. The GOMA restaurant uses fresh local ingredients and where possible uses sustainable, organic and biodynamic ingredients to minimise the environmental impact.

Day two - afternoon

Kayaking, Riverlife, Brisbane, Queensland

Afternoon kayaking along the river

From QAGOMA take a short 10 minute drive or just over a 40 minute walk to Riverlife, a lifestyle and entertainment venue. Here you can take part in a number of activities including rock climbing, abseiling, Segway tours and kayaking along the Brisbane River. The kayak guided tour leaves daily in the afternoon and depending on the tide you will have the opportunity to see the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Maritime Museum or paddle under the Story Bridge for a unique view of this iconic Brisbane landmark.

Dinner at Stokehouse

For dinner, head back to the south side of Brisbane’s river for a great perspective of the city at Stokehouse restaurant. Stokehouse is quintessentially Australian and the restaurant dishes up a modern Mediterranean menu that focuses on local and Australian produce.

Brisbane and beyond

Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Island, Queensland

Brisbane is a gateway to many other beautiful destinations in Queensland. Hire a car and drive to the Sunshine Coast which is less than a two hour drive north of Brisbane or the Gold Coast which is an hour’s drive south of Brisbane. Or for a journey of a lifetime, drive along the Pacific Coast Touring Route and stop off at destinations like Fraser Island, Bundaberg, Townsville and Cairns.

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